Facebook Expands Test of New Streamlined Timeline

Facebook is continuing (and expanding) a test that revamps users’ Timelines by creating a single, more prominent column for statuses and posts, as well as redesigns the section headers by doing away with the clunky image boxes we’ve seen since Timeline first launched.

The Next Web is reporting on the Timeline redesign, and they say that it has rolled out across New Zealand. Facebook routinely tests new features and products in New Zealand before bringing them to the rest of the world.

The redesigned Timeline isn’t a drastic change from what you currently see, but it is a pretty significant one. Upon first look you’ll notice that the image tiles at the top that allow users to access your photos, friends, likes, and map are gone. They’ve been replaced by tabs for “Timeline,” “About,” “Friends,” “Photos,” and “More.”

Users’ profile pics have also been moved down, out of the cover photo a bit. The info that was previously below the profile pic (location, job, etc.) has been moved to the right.

But the most noticeable difference in this new Timeline test comes when you scroll down. You’ll notice an expanded left-hand column, where status updates and friend posts appear. As we mentioned back in October, this test also streamlines these posts, displaying them in the left-hand column entirely. “Message” style posts will no longer fill in the right-hand column after a users’ open graph and other activity runs out.

We’ll update you on this test, and whether or not it graduates from New Zealand. Facebook has had this one in the works for over two months now, so we’ll take a guess and say that all users should see this new Timeline fairly soon.